What Is a Sustainable Home?
Climate change is here and countries across the globe are scrambling to find ways to fight it. While governments and multilateral agencies talk about reducing the use of fossil fuels, using clean energy, sustainability, environment regeneration and more, the fact is that progress in this field will take years, if not decades, to show results. It was in 1987 that the World Commission on Environment and Development first used the term “sustainable development” and defined it as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”
Climate change is an existential problem and the solutions start at the grassroots. Is your home sustainable? Can you make it more so? And can you do it without emptying your wallet? If the answer to the first 2 questions is that you are not sure, you are amongst the majority. However, if you are serious about making your home as sustainable as possible, the answer to the third question will make you happy – you can increase sustainability without emptying your wallet. Doing so will save you money in the long run.
How to Make Your Home Sustainable
A lot of the information on sustainable homes deals with sustainable or “green” construction. But what about those who already have their homes and want to make them greener? Several simple things can be done to be more environmentally friendly and simultaneously save money.
- Improve Insulation: Check the insulation of the home and replace it where it is worn out or damaged. Install double-glazed windows. Ensure the sealing around windows and doors is tight.
- Improve the House’s Ventilation: An effective ventilation system will not only keep the interiors fresh, but the level of accumulated toxins will come down. A fresher interior can also help bring down power bills in summer by getting rid of accumulated indoor heat and by doing so, reduce the air conditioning load and electricity consumption. Whole house or attic fan installation is the way to do this. If the attic fan is solar-powered, then there is a 30% tax credit available.
- Solar panels to generate electricity have been around for a long time and their use is spreading. Being independent of the power grid may not be easy to achieve, but even installing a few panels can significantly reduce power consumption.
Also Read: The Best In Daylight And Ventilation At Your Fingertips
- Maximize the Use of Natural Light: If some rooms in a house do not get enough natural light during the day, there is an alternative to switching on electric lighting to make the room brighter. Adding windows is often not possible. Installing traditional skylights may not be viable. But today, you can install tubular skylights that collect sunlight from the roof and use special reflective tubing to carry that light into the parts of the home where it is needed. These devices use no electricity and the controllable natural light can rejuvenate a room and make it a happier place to be in.
California is blessed with a climate where solar energy and lighting can make a major difference to a home’s power usage and go a long way in making it sustainable. Whole house or attic fan installation or putting in tubular skylights is quick, easy, economical and mess-free. All you need to do is contact Sunlight Concepts, the premier Bay Area dealer for Solatube, the world leader in solar tubes and ventilation systems. Ask for a free consultation and find out how easy it is to make your home more sustainable without burning a hole in your pocket.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is a sustainable home?
A sustainable home minimizes environmental impact and uses resources efficiently. You can make your existing home more sustainable without breaking the bank.
2. How can I improve my home’s insulation?
Check and replace worn-out insulation, install double-glazed windows, and ensure tight seals around windows and doors.
3. How can I improve ventilation in my home?
Install a whole house or attic fan to remove accumulated heat and toxins, reducing reliance on air conditioning. Consider solar-powered options for tax credits.
4. Are solar panels a good investment for a sustainable home?
Even a few solar panels can significantly reduce your power consumption and dependence on the grid.
5. How can I maximize natural light in my home?
If adding windows isn’t feasible, consider installing tubular skylights that bring natural light into rooms without electricity.